Labor Day weekend brings statewide DUI crackdown

TEMPE, Ariz. -- There is a crackdown on drinking and driving as Labor Day weekend kicks off.

"There's tons of cops here,” said Amberly Briones, who was out on Mill Avenue Friday night.

Police are out in full force this holiday weekend.

"Everywhere you turn, you will see a police officer,” said Sgt. William Cullins with the Tempe Police Department.

It's part of the statewide holiday DUI enforcement.

"It just seems like too much of a presence,” said Chris Ruiz, who was also enjoying Tempe's bar district.

Cullins said there were 40 to 50 officers patrolling Tempe for drunk drivers.

“It's a little overboard," Briones said. "A lot, actually."

It's not exactly what Mill Avenue goers want to hear after seeing a large police presence last week, too.

"There were a lot of cops around here last week. They were all over the place," Ruiz said.

During their Safe and Sober campaign last weekend, Tempe police said they had nearly 400 arrests while trying to keep drunk drivers off the streets.

"I get that they're trying to make us safe and stuff, but I think they're getting a little too extreme,” Briones said.

This weekend, Cullins said eight Valley agencies have teamed up for the East Valley Labor Day DUI Enforcement.

"I think a lot of what they do have might be unnecessary," said Rhys Carter, another Mill Avenue goer.

That's because Carter and Briones say the people they know wouldn't be out drinking and driving.

"We also have Ubers and taxis like all over the place, so if you're a responsible adult you will call an Uber or call a taxi," she said.

But for those who aren't, "I think they should be happy that we're here to protect them," Cullins said. "It's one of those things that the more officers we have out here the less chance we have of other crimes being committed."

Cullins said they just want people to have fun safely.

"If you're of age and you can drink, please come down and enjoy yourself,” he said. “We want you to do that safely, and we want to be able to protect you."

If you are hitting the road this holiday weekend, remember the police efforts are not limited to Tempe.

Statewide, there will be beefed-up patrols looking for anyone who gets behind the wheel after drinking.

Sixty-five law enforcement agencies will be participating in the DUI crackdown.